Expert: Marie Peppers - 4/2/2008

Question
QUESTION: We also changed what the first owners puppy food from kirkland   signature puppy food, to Blue Buffalo chicken and rice puppy food. And do you know anything that i can give or do to this puppy because this is the first time I have had a puppy and this puppy doesnt even walk when i put the leash on him he freezes. I want this puppy to be playful and walk around while im in his sight, not when im not there. Today is the second day i had this puppy.

ANSWER: Hello Harp:  Ok, this is all new to this little boy.  You can change the food but it is a slow process.  It should be 1/2 the old food :Kirkland and then 1/2 the Blue Buffalo for 2 weeks..
( after about 2 weeks you can  go to all Blue Buffalo)  This is why his poops are watery. Also, he must have a bunch of gas...
So, get another bag of Kirkland, if you got rid of the other bag.

Next, How about some pumpkin filling ( pure pumpkin) canned - You can give him 1/4 a cup per day.. This will firm up the poops.. He will love the taste.

As far as leashes and walking... Get him a harness and use that for walking.. A harness feels much better to a pup than a collar.  He should be given the harness a few times per day.. So he won't be afraid of it.  Don't keep it on him when you are not around because he may eat it.

Here is an idea of a soft harness:  all colors ... you don't need to get pink for him..  The photo is in pink:

http://store.thenewyorkdogshop.com/pusomehaornc.html

** also:
A good vitamin for pit bull kids is NuVET Plus - It is very good to start him on a Supplement right away.. Here is the link:
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html

Best wishes with your new pup

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks alot this really helped me out but the problem is that we cant get kirkland puppy food.. is that ok? will he get used to eating that food sooner or later? or do i really have to get kirkland? And the pumpkin? where do i get it? what is it called? (something like 100% CANNDED PUMPKIN)?? or something like that? thanks you really helped loads.

ANSWER: Ok, if you can't get the Kirkland, that is ok.  He will get used to eating the food... Just takes time.
As for Canned Pumpkin, yes, the kind that is pure and you would get it at the supermarket... In the pie area... ( It may be near the pie fillings)  Make sure you get the pure one... ( no sugar added)..

***good luck with your little one!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok thanks i can do that. One more thing could you tell me all the things that i can feed him like milk..etc because i want to know what he can eat right now so i wont feed him anything he not supposed to eat, and he is only 3 months old so could you please tell me what he can eat... thanks that would be a big help.

Answer
Ok, don't give too much in the milk department.  Some cheese is fine as a snack..( 1 inch cubes);
chicken - boneles and cooked
beef - hamburger
buffalo -
turkey-
green beans- ( cooked)
carotts  ( cooked or uncooked)
squash
sweet pototoe
pumpkin ( canned)
cottage cheese

Hope this helped..

Marie of The Doggie Chalet Hotel
Nu Vet Plus - The best Pit Bull vitamin in the USA
http://www.nuvet.com/81098